Carers of man who choked on pancake were 'more worried about his challenging behaviour'
Vulnerable man who choked to death was supposed to be watched round-the-clock.
The trial of a Wolverhampton carer accused of the manslaughter of a vulnerable resident who choked on pancake pieces were more concerned about his challenging behaviour than his eating habits.
Thomas Cowley, who was kept on a strict diet due to his eating issues, died on February 23, 2023 at his home in Leverton Rise, Oxley, after inhaling “unsuitably large pieces” of pancake when carer Christopher Bennett should have been supervising him.
Giving evidence at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Deborah Newman, of the city’s speech and language therapy service, said the 40-year-old had dysphagia or difficulty swallowing. She said was aware of a previous incident when Mr Cowley, known as Tom, had taken grapes from a fridge and choked on them. As a result an alarm was fitted to the appliance.
She said she emailed instructions to the carers that he should only be served soft foods cut into the industry standard ‘level six’ bite size of 0.59in or 1.5cm pieces and should given one or two bits at a time to reduce the choking risk. She told the jury that she received feedback from a carer called Josh Griffiths who said this system was working well and they were more concerned about “challenging behaviour than the choking”.
Despite the efforts of Bennett and paramedics called to the scene to dislodge the stuck food, Mr Cowley died after going into cardiac arrest.
Bennett, of Bunkers Hill Lane, Bilston, turned his back briefly to get his phone when Mr Cowley, who had learning disabilities, inhaled the food and choked on large pieces of pancake which were cut four or five bigger than the size recommended by Mrs Newman.
He was employed by Lifeways Community Care Ltd to look after the vulnerable man and denies manslaughter and ill treatment or wilful neglect. Lifeways area manager Cherilyn Ghannem, aged 54, of Willington Road, Boston, Lincolnshire, who is accused of discarding the oversized pancake pieces in a bin, denies perverting the course of justice.
The trial continues.
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